Forrester Research’s largest annual survey of Americans’ technology adoption finds that 73 percent of the 37,000 respondents say the mobile phone is the electronic device they use the most., Mobile Marketer reports.

Fifty-eight percent said their desktop computer ranks second, and 56 percent said printers are the third-most-used device. The report also makes clear the generation gap in technology between younger and older Americans is widening.

“Marketers need to know which channels your consumers are using and then make the experience across these channels seamless,” said Jacqueline Anderson, consumer insights analyst at Forrester Research, Cambridge, MA. “It’s all about researching your specific consumers to understand exactly which technology they’re using and why.

“The data in cross-channel media usage supports this,” she said. “Develop target-specific messages. This is especially important when trying to get older consumers to interact with or adopt a new technology. Be sure you’re clear about how this will help them specifically.

“Don’t write off older consumers as technophobes. There may be a steeper learning curve for older consumers, but if there’s a technology that meets their needs, these consumers will buy and spend big.”

The Forrester report highlights the continuing rise of mobile activities. For example, 23 percent of Americans ages 18-44 own a smart phone.

Additionally, 17 percent of all Americans now own a smart phone, up from 11 percent one year ago.

Generation Y is particularly mobile savvy, with 85 percent of consumers in this demographic regularly sending or receiving SMS/text messages, compared to 57 percent of all U.S. consumers over the age of 18.

Twenty-seven percent of Generation Y consumers access social networks on their mobile devices, compared to 14 percent of all U.S. consumers. Also, 37 percent access the mobile Internet, compared to 23 percent of all U.S. consumers.